Making Evil: The Science Behind Humanity’s Dark Side

Are you evil?Julia Shaw shows us that the same dispositions that make us capable of heinous crimes may also work to our advantage. And asks, if evil is within all of us, should it be said to exist at all?In Making Evil, Shaw uses a mix of science, popular culture and real-life examples to investigate the darker side of human nature. How similar is your brain to a psychopath’s? How many people have murder fantasies? Can AI be evil? Do your sexual proclivities make you a bad person? Who becomes a terrorist? This is a wide-ranging exploration into a fascinating, darkly compelling subject.

Reviews of Making Evil: The Science Behind Humanity’s Dark Side

Julia Shaw has crafted a brilliant panorama that elucidates humanity's dark side in her masterpiece, Making Evil. This science-based foundation for studying the minds of sadists, mass murderers, freaks and creeps, as well the new role of tech in promoting evil is presented in a totally engaging fashion — PHILIP ZIMBARDO, author of The Lucifer Effect Warmly, chattily written . . . Shaw draws knowledgeably on psychological and neuroscientific research * * Guardian * * Most of it is unsettling, shocking or disturbing. It's also rational, intelligent and necessary . . . fascinating and convincing * * Herald * * A book that will provide you with the kind of anecdotes I cherish, but will make you a terrifying date on Match.com * * The Times * * If you are interested in evil, the science behind evil, there are so many studies contained within this book . . . a very entertaining book about evil * * BBC Radio 5 * * Curious readers will be riveted by Shaw's deliberate, rational discussions of such taboos as cyberbullying, homicide, pedophilia and the ways money and power corrupt the souls of formerly good men and women . . . Capably written with a smooth mix of scientific insight and theoretical thought, the book will hopefully inspire empathy and understanding rather than hysteria and condemnation . . . A consistently fascinating journey into the darker sides of the human condition that will push on the boundaries of readers' comfort zones * * Kirkus * * Shaw presents a stimulating and provocative challenge to the traditional meaning of evil. Stimulating and provocative * * Library Journal * * A sober-minded, academically rigorous examination of an oft-sensationalised subject * * Publishers Weekly * * Great read. Buy this book — TIM LOVEJOY